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I have put together a few motherhood responses to the budget
consultation questions -- mostly cribbed from the last Alternative
Federal Budget paper that I contributed to because I don't have time to
do anything else. Please add, comment, delete. Otherwise, I will just
submit it. There is no deadline on the consultation page -- but it must
be soon.<br>
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1. In your opinion how can we better
support our middle class?
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> A national digital economy strategy is
a vital part of federal policy that has been allowed to languish for
too long. All Canadians will be supported by a committment to return
to a leadership role in this sector. Growing evidence supports the
connection between household income, jobs, and modern information and
communications infrastructure. As Prime Minister Trudeau said in his
speech to the Davos meetings, Canadians are resourceful. But the
government must lead with a digital strategy to move the economy
firmly into the 21st century.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">2. What infrastructure needs can best
help grow the economy, protect our environment and meet your
priorities locally?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Economic growth in the 21st century
cannot occur without 21st-century tools. A program to support
community-driven access and education initiatives across the country
would help ensure prosperity is both deep and wide throughout the
country. Over the years, this kind of initiative has created jobs and
brought new businesses to many areas at very little cost. The
government must improve Canada’s communications infrastructure and
facilitate access, use, and skills in this area by committing to
effective broadband from coast to coast to coast that supports a full
range of communications applications. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">3. How can we create economic growth,
protect the environment and meet local priorities while ensuring that
the most vulnerable don't get left behind.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">National programs that provide access,
education, and support for the effective use of new communications
technologies in communities should be considered essential
investments that generate demand and build human capacity to meet
that demand. We must ensure that all Canadians are able to
participate in the new economy. Reintroduction and expansion of
support for public access programs will boost local economies by
encouraging them to use new technologies for community development
and by offering collaborative tools. When Canadian communities suffer
because of major job losses, these programs help provide support in
an economic downturn.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">4. Is the implementation of these new
priorities and initiatives realistic? Will it help us grow our
economy?</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Affordable high-speed internet access
is an indispensable asset for the economic health of communities of
all sizes. It attracts businesses, encourages local entrepreneurship,
and maintains high standards in education and health services, all of
which support local sustainability. Some of the funds earmarked for
infrastructure spending in this budget should be channelled into
designing and implementing a digital strategy and into extending
rural and remote connectivity programs. The federal government
should work with provincial authorities to encourage the development
of a digitally literate population, and the Minister of Employment,
Workforce and Labour should review policies and programs to ensure
that priority is given to training in digital skills. </p>
<ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;"></p>
</ul>
Marita<br>
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